Crime prevention officers

As police efforts shift from reacting to crime to stopping it before it occurs, neighborhood police officers are recast as crime prevention officers. As the UK’s Policy Exchange envisions it, these CPOs have much more autonomy than traditional officers and are held directly responsible for crime prevention in their areas. CPOs are equipped with body cameras to collect evidence and protect them from false claims, and meet with commanding officers regularly to review data on their performance. CPOs also play a larger role in the procurement process, testing the latest tools and providing vital feedback before their departments green-light new technology. Creating this new cadre of cops requires a significant change in hiring practices, as CPOs are vetted on the basis of their ability to absorb information quickly and master the newest technologies with ease.

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